ORLANDO - For the fourth consecutive season and fifth time since 2019, UCF has sold out its football season tickets.

Following UCF's inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference, excitement is high for the Knights' second year in the league as today's announcement (May 7) marks the earliest that season tickets have ever sold out.

Since FBC Mortgage Stadium opened in 2007, UCF is 83-26 (.761) over 17 previous seasons playing home games at the stadium.

UCF kicks off the season with a pair of non-conference home games, as New Hampshire heads to Orlando for the season opener Thursday, Aug. 29, followed by a visit from Sam Houston Saturday, Sept. 7

The Knights will have their inaugural meetings against New Hampshire, Sam Houston, TCU, Colorado, Iowa State, Arizona and Utah on the gridiron this season. Five of the Knights' seven home games are against teams that will visit FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first time and two of UCF's four out of state road trips are followed by a bye week and the other two have a home game afterwards.

Since the start of the 2017 season, UCF has accumulated 65 wins, the ninth-most wins by an FBS program. The Knights went 13-0 in 2017, 12-1 in 2018, 10-3 in 2019, 6-4 in the Covid-shortened 2020 season, 9-4 in 2021, 9-5 in 2022 and 6-7 last season. The Knights join Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Michigan and Appalachian State as the only programs to win at least 65 games since 2017.

Kickoff times for the first three weeks of the season will be announced this summer. The Big 12 will publish the remainder of the game times on a regular basis throughout the fall, on either a 12- or six-day turnaround from week to week.

Gonna be interesting football season in 2024. Neon Deion Sanders Colorado coming to Orlando. Utah is preseason favorites to win Big12. they play in Orlando as well. Arizona comes to UCF. They were much improved last year.

gotta travel to the Swamp against the Gators early season. KJ Jefferson, Qb transfer from Arkansas, beat the Gators in the swamp last year. Hoping he can do it again!

Snippet from who benefited most from transfers this spring:

UCF

The Knights made a big splash in the first window by landing Arkansas transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson, who should be a perfect fit for coach Gus Malzahn's offense.

But Malzahn wasn't satisfied with just adding Jefferson and a handful of transfers in the first window, as UCF added contributors on both sides of the ball this spring. Receiver Jacoby Jones (Ohio) and running back Peny Boone (Louisville/Toledo) add to a group of playmakers that should be among the best in the Big 12. Also, Miami transfer Jacurri Brown solidifies the backup spot behind Jefferson.

A struggling defense also got needed reinforcements. Sheldon Arnold II (East Tennessee State), Tre'Quon Fegans (USC), and Cedrick Hawkins (Ohio State) help a secondary that allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt in the Big 12 last season. Also, Miami transfer Nyjalik Kelly adds a talented pass rusher to the front.

UCF is stockpiling talent:

BREAKING: Former Texas, Alabama WR Agiye Hall is enrolling at UCF as a walk-on, sources tell On3's
@SWiltfong_
&
@PeteNakos_
??

The former Top-40 recruit last played for Texas during the 2022 season.


The turnover in college football is at an all-time high, with thousands of players entering the NCAA transfer portal each offseason. On Monday night, UCF landed a massive addition as the Knights landed a former five-star wide receiver.

Former Alabama and Texas wide receiver Agiye Hall is reportedly set to enroll at UCF as a walk-on, giving head coach Gus Malzahn another win in the transfer portal.

Hall was a former five-star prospect out of Valrico, Florida. He was the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2021, according to On3. He later transferred to Texas after only one season with the Crimson Tide.

Edited: 05/15/2024 at 06:03 AM by Central Floridave

Former Auburn WR Ja'Varrius Johnson transfers to UCF
Story by Tyler Raley . 1h .

Just checked my Seminole Gaming App and looking at NCAA football betting futures. Here is what is listed:

to win Big 12

Utah +350

Kansas State +375

Kansas +700

Arizona +800

Texas Tech +1000

UCF +1200

Iowa State +1200

Oklahoma State +1300

TCU +1750

West Virginia +2000

Colorado +4000

Baylor +6000

Cincinnati +7500

Arizona State +10000

BYU +15000

Houston +15000



National Champs

UCF +20000

A dollar bet for UCF to win NC wins 201. A dollar bet for UCF to win Big12 wins 13.

Predicting ceiling, floor for UCF in 2024 season
On3 image
by:
Dan Morrison
.
06/03/24
.
dan_morrison96

https://www.on3.com/college/uc...or-ucf-in-2024-season/

Ohio State, Georgia headline five best college football RB rooms entering the 2024 season
Story by Tom Fornelli . 3h . 5 min read

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/spor...024-season/ar-BB1nXBLi


UCF listed #5 behind Ohio State, Georgia, Kansas, & Texas.

5. UCF
Last season, UCF's Rocky Harvey finished sixth in the nation with 1,416 yards rushing. That was 16 yards more than Toledo's Peny Boone, who rushed for 1,400 yards and finished eighth nationally. In 2024, they'll be in the same backfield. Boone, last year's MAC Offensive Player of the Year, transferred to UCF in May to give the Knights the most productive backfield in the country. And while he's not a running back, the Knights added QB KJ Jefferson from the portal, and he's quite literally a tank pretending to be a human quarterback. I don't have the physical proof of this, but I trust my eyes.

There's also Johnny Richardson, who finished second in rushing behind Harvey for the Knights last season, averaging 6.59 yards per carry. Those three backs combined with Jefferson in a Gus Malzahn offense? Ladies and gentlemen, sign me up for that.

Analyzing UCF football's transfer portal additions, losses during spring window

Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 8:40 AM EDT·10 min read

Though rosters are not totally set in stone, college football's transfer portal slammed shut April 30, and UCF spent the majority of May looking to bolster its squad to take a run at the title in the new-look Big 12.

By and large, Gus Malzahn and his staff drew significant praise for their work in the spring portal window. Chris Hummer (247Sports) and Pete Nakos (On3 Sports) each listed UCF as a winner for its additions, both fitting immediate needs and stockpiling a handful of long-term pieces to a potential conference championship puzzle.

So, what exactly did the Knights gain over the last six weeks?

Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the Knights' newcomers since April. The list does not include incoming preferred walk-ons, such as wide receiver Agiye Hall or long snapper Jack Bernstein.


Spring additions

S Sheldon Arnold II (East Tennessee State)

The Knights' lone addition from the Football Championship Subdivision, Arnold earned multiple All-American honors for a 3-8 ETSU squad. In 11 starts for the Buccaneers, Arnold (6-foot-1, 191 pounds) recorded 87 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and a 99-yard touchdown return on a blocked field goal.

Arnold recorded an elite 90.5 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus in 778 snaps, including a 95.8 mark in run defense. In coverage, he allowed an NFL passer rating of 86.5, responsible for four touchdowns while adding four pass breakups.

One starting safety slot is open - more on that in a bit - and Arnold should have a great opportunity to step right in and partner with Demari Henderson on the back end.

RB Peny Boone (Louisville)

The Mid-American Conference's 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, Boone (6-1, 242) spent the spring at Louisville before re-entering the transfer portal and joining UCF. The Detroit native finished eighth in the country with 1,400 rushing yards, two spots behind new teammate RJ Harvey, with 15 touchdowns on the ground.

More than half of Boone's yardage (793) came after contact, and he gained at least 10 yards on 40 of his 194 carries. Boone contributed plenty to the Rockets' passing game as well, catching 15 balls for 219 yards and another TD while posting a 64.5 PFF grade in pass protection.

On May 31, PFF ranked UCF's running back room as the second-best in the nation behind Ohio State. Harvey, Boone, Johnny Richardson and winter portal addition Myles Montgomery (Cincinnati) give Malzahn a plethora of options to pound the rock.

QB Jacurri Brown (Miami)

KJ Jefferson remains the unquestioned starter for the Knights entering 2024, but he's due to be a one-and-done option. There was a substantial lack of experience on the depth chart behind Jefferson, and UCF encountered injury woes at the QB position just before the start of Big 12 play last fall.

Enter Brown (6-4, 220), who started the Pinstripe Bowl in his lone appearance for the Hurricanes during the 2023 season. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 181 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and ran 15 times for 57 yards and another two scores.

A former four-star recruit from Valdosta (Ga.) powerhouse Lowndes, Brown has three years of eligibility remaining and rapport with UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. - Miami's running backs coach last season. He could very well enter the spring of 2025 atop the depth chart, bridging the gap to allow youngsters Dylan Rizk, Riley Trujillo and EJ Colson further time to develop.

S Cedrick Hawkins (Ohio State)

Hawkins, a Cocoa High grad, spent just a single season with the Buckeyes and returns closer to home where he should grow into an important piece for the future. A consensus four-star prospect, Hawkins (6-0, 185) did not participate in any games in 2023 but finished a decorated prep career with more than 300 tackles and 14 picks.

CB Tre'quon Fegans (USC)

This is the third college stop for Fegans (6-1, 190), who was the No. 117 overall recruit from the 2022 class per 247Sports' composite rankings. He signed with Alabama, then spent a year at USC in which he played six times and collected nine tackles.

Fegans has three years of eligibility and will enter the mix for reps in a revamped secondary. Ja'Cari Henderson, Antione Jackson and Chasen Johnson are among the players vying for a spot opposite veteran Brandon Adams.

WR Ja'Varrius Johnson (Auburn)

Johnson (5-10, 167) became the Knights' final spring portal addition to date when he committed on May 14. Recruited to Auburn by, among others, Malzahn and former UCF offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, Johnson suited up 35 times for the Tigers and caught 64 passes for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns.

Of the 108 times he was on the field for passing plays in 2023, Johnson lined up in the slot 57.4% of the time. He posted Auburn's fourth-highest offensive grade (77.9), per PFF, despite the relatively light workload. Four other Tigers wideouts - Malcolm Johnson Jr., Jay Fair, Shane Hooks and Camden Brown - saw more reps last fall.

WR Jacoby Jones (Ohio)

A leg injury cost Jones (6-3, 228) most of the 2023 season, limiting him to just three appearances (eight receptions, 147 yards), but he was one of the MAC's best offensive weapons the year before.

In his junior campaign, Jones tallied 45 receptions for 776 yards and six touchdowns. He was used almost solely on the perimeter (92.7% of snaps), with an average depth of target of 10.8 yards and a contested catch rate of 66.7% (8 of 12).

UCF sought experienced running mates for starters Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend, and found two contrasting players who should strengthen the overall depth of the receiving corps in Jones and Johnson.

EDGE Nyjalik Kelly (Miami)

This might be UCF's biggest swing on upside, considering Kelly was a top-100 national recruit out of Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) two years ago. He remained a four-star prospect in the portal and still has two years of eligibility.

Kelly (6-5, 250) recorded 19 tackles, 5½ TFLs and four sacks in his 16 games with the Hurricanes, missing most of 2023 with a shoulder injury. He's expected to be ready in time for fall camp and could give some serious juice off the edge.

CB Mac McWilliams (UAB)

One of UAB's captains in 2023, Pensacola native McWilliams (5-10, 185) could contribute on defense and special teams for the Knights.

McWilliams started all 12 games for the Blazers and provided a huge amount of versatility in the secondary. He played 479 snaps at cornerback, 223 in the slot and 78 in the box, per PFF. In total, McWilliams recorded 52 tackles with nine pass breakups, two TFLs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He also served as UAB's primary punt returner, accumulating 60 yards on six returns, and logged 100 snaps on special teams.

G Keegan Smith (Central Michigan)

Smith (6-3, 295) broke into Central Michigan's starting lineup as a true freshman and reclaimed his spot for just about the entire 2023 season. He made starts at left guard and right guard, and was part of a unit that allowed just 26 sacks.

Individually, Smith posted PFF grades of 65.0 in pass protection and 62.3 in run blocking, allowing 16 pressures and committing two penalties across 647 snaps.

UCF struck gold in bringing Marcellus Marshall in from the MAC last year and will bank on Smith to compete for a starting spot in the interior.

Phil Steele's 2024 Big 12 Forecast

1 - Utah
2 - Kansas St
Okla St
4 - Arizona
Iowa St
6 - West Virginia
7 - Kansas
TCU
UCF
10 - Baylor
Cincinnati
Texas Tech
13 - Colorado
14 - BYU
15 - ASU
16 - Houston

8:33 PM · Jun 10, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. - If you're looking for tickets to UCF football games this fall, you're in luck.

UCF football season tickets sold out back in May, marking the program's fastest sell-out in history and its fifth since 2019.

UCF Athletics announced Monday that a "very limited number" of single-game tickets for home games this upcoming season will be released later this week. These are seats that were returned by visiting teams in Section 225 and in the upper level of the south endzone.

These tickets will be sold directly through UCF starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20. There are also verified resale tickets available on Ticketmaster.

Aug. 29 vs. New Hampshire
Sept. 7 vs. Sam Houston
Oct. 12 vs. Cincinnati
Oct. 26 vs. BYU
Nov. 2 vs. Arizona
Nov. 29 vs. Utah

UCF vs. Colorado on Sept. 28 is sold out, the school announced Tuesday. Only resale tickets are available.

Here's a look at the full UCF football schedule for the 2024 season:

Aug. 29 (Thursday): New Hampshire at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Sept. 7 (Saturday): Sam Houston (Family Weekend) at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Sept. 14 (Saturday): at TCU at 7:30 p.m. on FOX
Sept. 28 (Saturday): Colorado (TBA)
Oct. 5 (Saturday): at Florida at 6-8 p.m. on TBA
Oct. 12 (Saturday): Cincinnati (Military Appreciation Day)
Oct. 19 (Saturday): at Iowa State (TBA)
Oct. 26 (Saturday): BYU (Homecoming) (TBA)
Nov. 2 (Saturday): Arizona (Space Game) (TBA)
Nov. 9 (Saturday): at Arizona State (TBA)
Nov. 23 (Saturday): at West Virginia (TBA)
Nov. 29 (Friday): Utah (Senior Knight) at 8 p.m. on FOX

Thus, if you plan on going to a game this season plan ahead! Colorado is sold out. Must be the Neon-Deion effect.

That Utah vs UCF on Black Friday game will also will be a HUGE game. Hopefully both teams are undefeated by then.

Arizona Space Game will be another good one.

I wish I could make it to the swamp this year vs Gators but already booked a band gig then. I'll have to watch that on DVR.

Last year's ticket pricing wasn't that high in the resellers market. I expect them to go up this year. I got season tix so I'll be there!

fyi, there are only a few more 50 dollar tix for the South end zone available for the Utah vs @UCF for Black Friday evening game. Good luck getting a ticket closer to the date.

Direct link to ticketmaster UTAH vs UCF Black Friday.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/u...enable_merch_slot=true

How UCF TAKES ON the Big 12 in '24 | Why Gus Malzahn, KJ Jefferson are set for a BIG year in Orlando

I'm rooting for them. The portal seems to have worked for them. I just gave up my UF vs. UCF ticket to go see Johnny Marr in New Orleans with James. Maybe after that show I can get up to speed.

-------------------------

"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Johnny Marr would be cool to see.

Summer practice for UCF starts next week.

Slow college football season for now!

I was just checking that Black Friday Utah game. A ton of resale tix avail. I guess everyone is trying to make some money off resale tix. It wasn't too long ago you couldn't give UCF tickets away!

Go Knights! Go Gators!

UCF 2024 football schedule
Date Time (ET) Opponent
Thursday, Aug. 29 7 p.m. vs. New Hampshire
Saturday, Sept. 7 6:30 p.m. vs. Sam Houston
Saturday, Sept. 14 7:30 p.m. at TCU*
Saturday, Sept. 21 -- OPEN
Saturday, Sept. 28 TBA vs. Colorado*
Saturday, Oct. 5 6-8 p.m. at Florida
Saturday, Oct. 12 TBA vs. Cincinnati*
Saturday, Oct. 19 TBA at Iowa State*
Saturday, Oct. 26 TBA vs. BYU*
Saturday, Nov. 2 TBA vs. Arizona*
Saturday, Nov. 9 TBA at Arizona State*
Saturday, Nov. 16 -- OPEN
Saturday, Nov. 23 TBA at West Virginia*
Friday, Nov. 29 8 p.m. vs. Utah*
Saturday, Dec. 6 TBA Big 12 Championship Game#
* Big 12 game; # in Arlington, Texas